kunekune

Domestic Pig

The kunekune is a small breed of domestic pig from New Zealand. Kunekune are hairy, with a rotund build and may bear wattles hanging from their lower jaw.

The kunekune is covered in hair which can be long or short, and straight or curly. Hair colours include black, brown, ginger, gold, cream and spotted combinations. It has a medium to short snout, that is black and either semi-lopped or pricked ears. It has a short, round body with short legs and two tassels (called piri piri) under its chin. The kunekune stands about 60 cm (24 inches) tall

They have a docile, friendly nature, and – like the pot-bellied pig – are now often kept as pets.

The kunekune is believed to have descended from an Asian domestic breed introduced to New Zealand in the early 19th century by whalers or traders. They differ markedly from the feral pig of European origin known in New Zealand as a "Captain Cooker". The native Māori people of New Zealand adopted kunekune: the word kunekune means "fat and round" in the Māori language.